Baseball's Early Days Frame Color:Gold A part of our New

A part of our New York Times Games collection

The Flatiron Building was one of the tallest building in the world when it was completed in 1902 and heralded the Golden Era of skyscrapers in New York City

including pigeons

During performances at the old Madison Square Garden on Eighth Avenue at 50th Street

Baseball's Early Days Frame Color:Gold A part of our NewIn a scene from baseball's Deadball Era, a catcher and batter prepare for a pitch in a game between the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates, Sept. 18, 1908. Back then pitchers threw spitballs, uniforms had no numbers and a dozen homers could win you a home run title. The catcher is Roger Bresnahan of the Giants, a versatile athlete who played all nine positions. Regarded as the Deadball Era's most famous catcher, he introduced protective equipment